Video: Firefighters injured, 70 evacuated as fire breaks out in Ekurhuleni

Firefighters remain on scene following a fire that broke out in the Edenvale CBD, in Ekurhuleni, this morning. Bedfordview Edenvale Newsreportsthat, according to City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (Dems) spokesperson William Ntladi, the fire occurred at a business near the corner of Van Riebeeck Avenue and Ninth Street. Firefighters from the Edenvale Fire Station responded to the scene after noticing smoke billowing into the air.

“When firefighters arrived, they found the structure well alight and conducted a risk assessment,” says Ntladi. He adds that three attack lines were initially set up to combat the blaze, while approximately 70 employees were evacuated from the building. Additional firefighters from the Bedfordview, Primrose, Kempton Park and Albertina Sisulu Corridor fire stations also responded to assist.

A private firefighting service supported the operation. Ntladi confirms that two private firefighters were injured when a wall collapsed on them. “The pair sustained moderate injuries and were treated on scene before being transported to a nearby hospital,” he says.

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Although smoke is still rising from the structure, Ntladi adds that the fire is currently under control and firefighters are working to cool down remaining hotspots. He says that apart from the two injured firefighters, no other injuries have been reported. Van Riebeeck Avenue remains closed between Ninth Street and Tenth Street. Authorities expect the road to reopen within several hours.

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